Method of Conducting a Reel Slot Game with Continuous Depletion

ABSTRACT

A wagering game includes defining a finite set of game indicia. Multiple sequential game outcomes are generated using the finite set of game indicia, with the finite set continuously depleted of game indicia used to produce preceding game outcomes. Optionally, the player is notified of the exclusion of game indicia from the finite set available in any game. Game outcomes are produced using the continuously depleted finite set until a restoration event, which may be manually triggered or automatic, that restores the excluded game indicia. Optionally, multiple game outcomes may be produced simultaneously from a finite set continuously depleted of used game indicia.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/518,653, entitled “Method of Conducting a Game of Ban-nag with Continuous Depletion,” filed Sep. 11, 2006, which, in turn, was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/007,108, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,431,648, entitled “Method of Conducting a Wagering Game with Continuous Depletion,” filed Dec. 7, 2004, which, in turn, was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/977,138, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,056,205, entitled “Electronic Card Game and Method,” filed Oct. 12, 2001, which, in turn, claimed the priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/241,644 entitled “Electronic Video Poker Game and Method,” filed Oct. 19, 2000. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/977,138 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/942,520, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,425,178, entitled “Live And Electronic Wagering And Lottery Game,” filed Aug. 29, 2001, which, in turn, claimed the priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/229,665 entitled “Live and Electronic Wagering and Lottery Game,” filed Aug. 31, 2000.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to games. More specifically, the present invention is a method for conducting multiple reel slot games using a reel symbol set that cumulatively excludes reel symbols previously displayed on a pay line until a restoration event occurs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many known casino games using cards or other set of indicia to determine the outcome of the game. For example, many casino games of chance utilize reels displaying a fixed set of award symbols. These reel games are commonly referred to as reel slot machines or slot machines.

Slot machines can contain any number of reels, although most slot machines contain three, four, or five reels, and any number of pay lines, although most slot machines include one, three, five, eight, or nine pay lines. For example, in some slot machine games, each reel on a slot machine may index at a plurality of positions or stops, each of which contains a symbol or a blank. The number and location of index positions can vary depending upon the model type of each game but, in all instances, are fixed. These model types are determined by a variety of award tables and corresponding combinations of reel symbols. As noted above, the combination of symbols displayed when the reels index determines whether the player has won or lost. There are also video slot machines where a controlling processor simulates the action of a stepper game.

The player places a wager to initiate play of a slot machine. The player can place multiple wagers to, as described previously, increase the payout amounts, increase the number of active pay lines, or both. Often, the specific wagering structure dictates the allocation of multiple coin wagers. The reels are randomized, i.e. mechanically or electronically “spun,” and the combinations of reel symbols index across the pay line or pay lines are examined for winning combinations. Winning combinations are rewarded according to a pay table which may take into account the size of the wager. The paytable is a schedule of all possible winning outcomes and the award for obtaining each.

Video draw poker is well known. In the conventional game of video draw poker known in the art, a gaming device is provided wherein the player makes a wager and the device's processor selects from a data structure containing data representing cards in a deck of playing cards, five cards to be displayed face up to represent an initial hand. The player selects which, if any, of the five cards of the initial hand to hold and prompts the processor to discard the remaining cards. The discarded cards are replaced with replacements selected from the data structure to produce a final hand outcome of a five card poker hand. The video draw poker device compares the final outcome to the pre-determined winning combinations also stored in a data structure defining the pay table, these combinations frequently representing ranked poker hands. If the player's final outcome matches a winning combination, the player is rewarded. Otherwise, the final outcome is deemed to be a loss and the player's wager is retained.

In a variation of video draw poker, multiple hands may be provided. As with conventional video draw poker, the device's processor randomly deals five cards to a player for an initial hand. The player selects which, if any, of the five cards of the initial hand to hold. Prior to drawing replacement cards for the initial hand, the held cards are copied into the other hands. The player prompts the processor to discard the remaining cards and additional cards are drawn to replace the discarded cards. The processor then repeats the draw step for the additional hands. Thus, a player receives multiple opportunities to draw to the same held cards.

Blackjack is a well known card game played in casinos. The object of the game is to have a final hand total closer to twenty-one than the dealer's hand without exceeding twenty-one. For purposes of calculating the final hand total, each card has a value equal to its face value except face cards, which have a value of ten, and aces, which may have a value of eleven or one as the player selects or as required to prevent the player from exceeding twenty-one. In conventional Blackjack, the suit of the cards is not relevant to the outcome of the game.

The form of Blackjack played in casinos is played between a dealer, representing the house, and at least one player. In a typical Blackjack game, each player makes a wager in a wagering area on a playing surface. The dealer deals two cards to each player and two cards, one card face up and the other face down, to himself or herself. Any player receiving a natural twenty-one or Blackjack, i.e. a total of twenty-one in the initial dealt hand, is immediately rewarded, typically at a rate of 2:1, 3:2, or 6:5, and play is terminated as to that player. Each remaining player examines his or her hand and decides whether to hit, i.e. receive another card, or stand, i.e. receive no further cards and finish play with the player's current hand. A player may hit as many times as the player wishes as long as the player does not bust, i.e. have a cumulative total greater than twenty-one. When a player busts, that player's wager is immediately collected and play is terminated as to that player.

A player may also have additional options available depending on the initial hand dealt and the house rules. For example, a player may have the option of “doubling down.” Although the availability of the double down option varies depending on each casino's house rules, the option allows a player to double the player's wager in exchange for a single additional card. Some house rules permit doubling down on initial hand totals of ten or eleven only, other house rules permit doubling down on any initial hand total.

Another option available to a player is the option of “splitting.” If a player receives a pair, i.e. two cards having the same face value, in his initial hand, most house rules permit the player to split the pair and use each card as a basis for a separate hand. For example, if a player is dealt a pair of eights, the player may choose to split the pair and continue play with two hands each having an eight and an additional dealt card as an initial hand. Each of those individual hands is then played independently by hitting, standing, or, under some house rules, doubling down or further splitting.

After all the players have played their hands, the dealer reveals the face-down card in the dealer's hand and completes the dealer's hand according to established house rules. That is, the casino uses established rules to eliminate the dealer's discretion. The dealer hits or stands as the house rules dictate, and resolves the wagers. In resolving the wagers, players with a final hand total closer to twenty-one than the dealer's final hand total are rewarded at even money. Conversely, wagers are collected from players with a final hand total further from twenty-one than the dealer's final hand total. If the dealer busts, all players who did not bust or receive a Blackjack are rewarded at even money. If the player and dealer push, i.e. have the same final hand total, the player's wager is returned.

Ban-Nag, also known as Chinese Blackjack is another card game played in casinos. The object of the game is to have a final hand total closer to twenty-one than the dealer's hand without exceeding twenty-one. For purposes of calculating the final hand total, each card has a value equal to its face value except face cards, which have a value of ten, and aces, which may have a value of one, ten, or eleven as determined primarily by the number of cards in the hand, and secondarily by the other cards in the hand. In Ban-Nag, the suit of the cards is not relevant to the outcome of the game. The value of the ace is typically determined as follows, with the value selected so as to obtain the highest hand total without exceeding twenty-one:

Number of cards in the hand Value of an Ace 2 10 or 11 3  1 or 10 4 1

The form of Ban-Nag played in casinos is played between a dealer, representing the house, and at least one player, and uses a deck comprised of between one and eight standard decks of cards. In a typical Ban-Nag game, each player makes a wager in a wagering area on a playing surface. The dealer deals an initial player hand of two cards to each player and an initial dealer hand of two cards face down to himself or herself. Any player receiving a Blackjack, consisting of either two aces, or an ace and a ten-value card is immediately rewarded, typically according to the following pay table, unless the dealer has an equal or higher ranking Blackjack hand, and play is terminated as to that player.

Player Hand Dealer Hand Result Two Aces (Ban-Ban) Two Aces (Ban-Ban) Push Total of Fifteen Optional Escape All Others Player Paid 3:1 Ace/Ten-Value Two Aces (Ban-Ban) Player Loses 3:1 (Ban-Nag) Ace/Ten-Value (Ban-Nag) Push Total of Fifteen Optional Escape All Others Player Paid 2:1

If the player has a hand totaling less than twenty-one, the player completes the final player hand as follows, continuing until the player elects to stand:

Player hand total Player options 15 or less on four cards or less Hit 16 to 20 on four cards or less Hit or stand More than 21 Bust, player loses 21 on 3 or four cards Stand, Player wins 2:1 21 on five cards Stand, Player wins 3:1 6 to 20 on five cards Stand, Player wins 2:1

At any point in the play of a hand, if a player achieves a hand totaling fifteen, the player has the option to escape, and push his wager, regardless of the dealer hand. Alternatively, the player has the option to continue play, foregoing the escape option.

Once the player has completed the final player hand, or busted, the dealer examines the initial dealer hand. If the dealer receives a Blackjack, consisting of either two aces, or an ace and a ten-value card, the dealer is rewarded according to the following paytable, and the hand is terminated for all players.

Dealer Hand Player Hand Result Two Aces (Ban-Ban) Two Aces (Ban-Ban) Push Total of Fifteen Escape All Others Players Lose 3:1 Ace/Ten-Value Two Aces (Ban-Ban) Player paid 3:1 (Ban-Nag) Ace/Ten-Value (Ban-Nag) Push Total of Fifteen Escape All Others Players Pay 2:1

If the dealer receives a hand totaling fifteen, the dealer has the option to escape, declaring a non-hand, pushing all wagers. Alternatively, the dealer has the option to continue playing the hand, foregoing the escape option. Typically, the dealer escape election is determined by deck factors and the number of player Blackjacks and busts. If the dealer has a hand totaling less than twenty-one, the dealer completes the final dealer hand according to the rules used in completing the final player hand. Optionally, house ways rules may be defined to remove the dealer options on hands totaling between 16 and 20.

If the dealer busts, all remaining final player hands are paid at 1:1. If the dealer stands, the remaining final player hands are compared to the final dealer hand. If the total of the dealer final hand is higher than that of a player final hand, the player loses their wager. If the total of a player final hand is higher than that of the dealer final hand, the player wins and is paid at 1:1. If the total of a player final hand equals that of the dealer final hand, that player pushes, i.e. neither wins nor loses. Optionally, as the potential for a player losing more than their wager exists (where the dealer has a Ban-Ban, a Ban-Nag, or a hand of 5 cards), the player may be required to maintain an escrow of up to two times their wager.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method according to an embodiment of the present invention is directed to conducting a game for a player. Optionally, the game is conducted at a device including a data processor in communication with a data storage device, a display, and a player interface. A finite set of game indicia is stored at the data storage device. In an optional embodiment, the game indicia may include reel symbols, playing cards, tiles, bingo or keno numbers, or any other type of game indicia.

The data processor executes program instructions stored at the data storage device to conduct a game. In one optional embodiment, the game includes receiving a wager through the player interface. In an optional embodiment, an escrow may be received through the player interface simultaneous with receiving the wager. In such an optional embodiment, the escrow may be resolved based on the game outcome, which may include a winning outcome or a losing outcome (or, in a further optional embodiment, a push or tie outcome). In such an optional embodiment, the escrow may be collected from the player only if the wager is insufficient to cover the player's losing game outcome. Conversely, the escrow may be returned to the player upon a winning game outcome or a losing game outcome in which the wager is sufficient to cover the player's losing game outcome.

A game outcome is displayed at a display using at least one game indicium from the finite set cumulatively excluding all game indicia used to produce previous game outcomes, if any. The wager is resolved based on the game outcome and all game indicia used to display the game outcome, accumulated with all game indicia used to produce previous game outcomes, if any, are excluded from use to produce a subsequent game outcome.

For example, in one optional embodiment, the game indicia are reel symbols and the data storage device stores a matrix containing a plurality of reel symbol positions and at least one pay line associated with the reel symbol positions. The data storage device also stores a pay table defining payouts associated with reel symbol combinations along at least one pay line. A plurality of reel symbols is randomly selected from the finite set cumulatively excluding all reel symbols used to produce previous game outcomes, if any, by the data processor. The selected reel symbols are located in the matrix by the data processor. The data processor determines the reel symbol combination along at least one pay line and the payout, if any, associated with the reel symbol combination according to the pay table.

Optionally, the player is notified of the exclusion of game indicia from play as a result of being used to produce previous game outcomes, if any, by providing information describing the finite set remaining until a restoration event. In one optional embodiment, the notification is provided at the display which shows a visual representation of the finite set remaining until a restoration event. Such notification could take many different forms. For example, in one optional embodiment, a display is provided of the inventory of the game indicia from the finite set cumulatively excluding all game indicia used in previous game outcomes, winning outcomes eliminated as a result of the excluded game indicia, or both. In an additional or alternate optional embodiment, a graphic may be provided illustrating the relative quantity of game indicia remaining in the finite set without specifically identifying the game indicia remaining in the finite set. In another optional embodiment, the quantity of game outcomes remaining before a restoration event may be displayed. Similarly, in an optional embodiment, the quantity of game indicia remaining before a restoration event may be displayed. In yet another optional embodiment, a display may be provided of the constitution of the finite set with the restoration point identified.

The data processor conducts additional sequential games using the continuously depleted finite set until a restoration event. The restoration event may include a manual restoration event triggered by the player or an automatic restoration event based on a predetermined quantity of game outcomes produced or a predetermined quantity of game indicia used. In a further optional embodiment, the restoration event may include a manual restoration event or an automatic restoration event, whichever occurs first.

Upon the restoration event, excluded game indicia are restored to the finite set by the data processor.

The present invention also includes a device for conducting a game for a player. In one such optional embodiment, a device includes a data processor in communication with a display, a player interface, and a data storage device.

Optionally, the data storage device is adapted to store a finite set of game indicia and program instructions executable by the data processor for conducting a method. In one such optional embodiment, a method includes conducting a game. Optionally, a game includes receiving a wager through the player interface. As above, an escrow may also be received through the player interface.

A game outcome is displayed at the display. The game outcome uses at least one game indicium from the finite set cumulatively excluding all game indicia used to produce previous game outcomes, if any. The wager is resolved based on the game outcome. All game indicia used to display the game outcome, accumulated with all game indicia used to produce previous game outcomes, if any, are excluded from use to produce a subsequent game outcome. Optionally, the player is notified of the exclusion of game indicia from play as a result of being used to produce previous game outcomes, if any, by providing information describing the finite set remaining until a restoration event. Examples of such notification are given above.

The data processor conducts additional sequential games until the restoration event. Again, the restoration event may include a manual restoration event, an automatic restoration event, or both. In one such optional embodiment including manual and automatic restoration events, the game may be conducted using the continuously depleted finite set until the manual or automatic restoration event, whichever occurs first.

Upon the restoration event, excluded game indicia are restored to the finite set by the data processor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention directed to multiple sequential game hands;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention directed to multiple simultaneous game hands;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a display of an example game according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a display of an example game according to an embodiment of the present invention conducted following the example game of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a display of an example game according to an embodiment of the present invention conducted following the example games of FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a display of an example game according to an embodiment of the present invention conducted following the example games of FIGS. 3-5;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a front view of a display of an example according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a display of an example game according to an embodiment of the present invention conducted following the example game of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a display of an example game according to an embodiment of the present invention conducted following the example game of FIGS. 8 and 9;

FIG. 11 is a front view of a display of an example according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a front view of a display of an example game according to an embodiment of the present invention conducted following the example game of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a front view of a display of an example game according to an embodiment of the present invention conducted following the example game of FIGS. 11 and 12.

DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred to by like numerals throughout. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention is a method 10 for conducting a wagering game. The present method could be implemented in a gaming machine, live game, PDA, handheld gaming device, cellular telephone, conducted via computer network or Internet, or implemented in any other form.

The present method is directed for use in combination with a base game. The base game may be a pre-existing base game or may be based on a pre-existing base game. Alternatively, the base game may be different from existing games. Among other purposes, the base game rules serve to guide the steps for completing a game outcome and determining whether a game outcome is a winning game outcome.

In this regard, it is noted that the present method could be used in conjunction with any base game. For example, the base game may include rules for the completion of a game outcome in which a player plays the game indicia dealt, such as in a slot game, lotto, Bingo, stud poker game, or the like. Similarly, the base game may include rules for the completion of a game outcome in which a player receives additional game indicia, either automatically or at the player's option, such as in Blackjack or twenty-one, Baccarat, or the like. Additionally, the base game may include rules for the completion of a game outcome in which a player may discard and replace game indicia, such as in draw poker or the like. Examples of such games are given below. It is noted that these examples merely illustrate how the present method could be applied to various base games and should not be considered restrictive, since the present method could be adapted to any other base game.

The base game rules may also vary according to the rules determining whether a game outcome is a winning game outcome or a losing game outcome. The present method could be applied to any base game without regard to how a winning game outcome or a losing game outcome is determined. For example, the base game rules may include determining a winning or losing game outcome by comparing the game outcome to a standard, such as a pay table. Similarly, the base game rules may include determining a winning or losing game outcome by comparing the game outcome to a dealer's hand, or one or more player's hand.

The base game may include single player or multi-player games. While the present method could be conducted the same whether a single player or multiple players are playing, in an optional embodiment directed to multi-player games, an optional rule could be implemented in which only one player is eligible to cause a manual restoration event during any game outcome. As discussed in greater detail below, the eligibility may rotate among the players in such an optional embodiment.

The present method 100 could be implemented for multiple sequential game outcomes, such as shown in the optional embodiment of FIG. 1, or for multiple simultaneous game outcomes, such as the method 140 shown in the optional embodiment of FIG. 2. Turning first to FIG. 1, the present invention includes defining 112 a finite set of game indicia. The game indicia may take any form including, but not limited to, playing cards, numbers, Bingo numbers, slot reel symbols, slot reel stops, or any other indicia. The finite set may include any quantity of game indicia, may include repeated game indicia, and may include multiple “sets” of game indicia, such as multiple decks of cards. That is, by “finite” it is intended that the finite set be closed so that exclusion or depletion, as described below, can occur.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1 and 2, a wager is received 114 from a player. In an embodiment directed to multiple sequential game outcomes, as shown in FIG. 1, a wager may be received for each game outcome. These wagers may be received together or separately in each game. Optionally, the wager may be controlled in that the player's options for altering a wager and/or wager denomination between restoration events may be limited. This is described in greater detail below. In an embodiment directed to multiple simultaneous game outcomes, as shown in FIG. 2, the present method may require only a single wager for participation or may require a separate wager for each game outcome. Optionally, for certain base games such as Ban-Nag described in greater detail below, the player is required to establish an escrow of a fixed multiple of the wager placed.

Returning to FIG. 1, a game outcome is produced 116 for the player. In an optional embodiment, the production of a game outcome may include “dealing” one or more game indicia to the player. By “dealing” it is meant that game indicia are assigned or otherwise allocated to a player. It is noted that game indicia may be shared among multiple players and/or multiple hands and/or multiple game outcome or, in an alternate optional embodiment, may be assigned to only a single player, hand, or game outcome. It is noted that although the word “dealing” connotes a physical process, it is intended that the word “dealing” encompass the random selection and assignment of slot reel symbols, Bingo numbers, lotto numbers, Keno numbers, playing cards, or any other game indicia.

At the outset, a game outcome may be produced using a full finite set. That is, a game outcome produced immediately after a restoration event may utilize any game indicia included in the complete finite set. Subsequent game outcomes, discussed in greater detail below, may be produced using only the game indicia remaining in the finite set excluding previously dealt game indicia. That is, after a game indicium is used it is excluded from subsequent play until a restoration event.

For example, in an embodiment in which the finite set is a single deck of playing cards, a dealt game outcome of K

2⋄ A⋄ A

7

would mean that these cards are depleted from the finite set and, thus, there are no King of hearts, two of diamonds, Ace of diamonds, Ace of clubs, or seven of spades available in the single deck inventory from which subsequent game outcomes will be dealt until a restoration event.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the player plays the game to completion according to the rules of the base game and, optionally, the wager staked on that game is resolved 118 based on the game outcome. As discussed above, the precise base game can vary and, in fact, it is contemplated that the present invention could be applied to any base game. Once the game outcome is completed, the game outcome is assessed to determine whether the game outcome is a winning game outcome or losing game outcome and whether the player is entitled to a pay out.

The game indicia used to produce the game outcome are depleted from the finite set, i.e. retired or excluded 120 from subsequent play. That is, used game indicia are not carried forward and are unavailable to produce the next or subsequent game outcome. In this sense, each game outcome is separate because each game outcome is separately produced using a unique set of game indicia, i.e., the continuously depleted finite set. Additionally, all previously used game indicia are excluded from further from play in a subsequent game until a restoration event. This “exclusion” of game indicia dealt allows the depletion of game indicia, optionally down to zero, from the universe of game indicia that can be used to produce a subsequent game outcome. That is, with dealt game indicia excluded from subsequent play, the total inventory of game indicia is reduced and the inventory of the specific game indicia available to be used is reduced, and may reach a zero balance, thereby reducing or eliminating the possibility that a game indicium will be dealt in a subsequent play. This, in turn, could eliminate certain winning game outcomes from being produced. For example, in a game of Ban-Nag using one deck of playing cards, if all four Aces have been dealt in prior games, then a Ban-Ban, i.e. two Aces, and a Ban-Nag, i.e. an Ace and a ten-value card, have been eliminated from subsequent hands by the depletion to zero inventory of the Aces, unless a restoration event occurs. Similarly, in a reel slot game in which a complete finite set of reel symbols includes twenty-two dragon symbols, if seven dragon symbols have been used to produce prior game outcomes, then only fifteen dragon symbols remain available to produce the next game outcome.

The player may optionally be notified 122 of the exclusion of used game indicia. In one such optional embodiment, the player is notified by displaying the constitution of the finite set excluding the dealt game indicia (or conversely by displaying the excluded game indicia), by displaying the winning game outcomes eliminated as a result of the exclusion of dealt game indicia (or conversely by displaying only the winning game outcomes that can still be dealt), or a combination thereof. In other optional embodiments, a graphic illustrating the relative quantity of game indicia remaining in said finite set without specifically identifying the game indicia remaining in said finite set may be displayed. For example, in one such optional embodiment, a deck of cards, shoe of cards, hopper of balls, or other graphical representation of the inventory of the finite set may be displayed. As game indicia are depleted from the finite set, i.e., as game indicia are used and excluded from the finite set, the graphical representation may change to illustrate that the inventory has shrunk without specifically identifying the game indicia remaining in the finite inventory. Such a graphical representation could include, for example, a deck of cards or shoe of cards shrinking in size, a hopper of balls containing fewer balls, or the like.

In another optional embodiment, the player may be notified of the depletion of game indicia from the finite set by displaying the quantity of game outcomes remaining before a restoration event. For example, in one optional embodiment, a display may inform the player that a certain number of games have been played or that a certain number of games remain until a restoration event. In an additional or alternative optional embodiment, a display may inform the player that a certain quantity of game indicia remain before a restoration event. In either case, the player is notified that game indicia have been, and are being, excluded from the finite set as play is conducted which enables a player to determine the constitution of the finite set if the player chooses to use that information. For example, a player who begins with a full finite set and sees that fifteen games remain until a restoration event (or, alternatively, eighty reel symbols remain until a restoration event), the player is able to, at any point, determine the state of the finite set.

In yet another optional embodiment, a display notifies the player of the original constitution of the finite set and identifies the restoration point. For example, a display may state that the finite set includes six poker decks and that the cards are depleted until one hundred cards remain, at which point the excluded cards are restored to the finite set. In this manner, the player is aware that cards are excluded as play is conducted, which enables the player to determine the remaining constitution of the finite set if he or she so chooses.

In an optional embodiment, additional games are conducted by receiving 128 a wager (and, in certain games such as Ban-Nag, funding the required escrow) and generating a game outcome using game indicia. As noted above, these additional game outcomes are produced 130 using the finite set excluding any previously used game indicia. As each additional game outcome is produced, the used game indicia from the additional game outcomes are retired from play, i.e., excluded from the inventory of game indicia available for subsequent game outcomes. As above, the player may be notified of the results of the exclusion of game indicia from play.

It is noted that in an optional embodiment, the size of the wager in the additional games may be controlled. For example, the player may be restricted in the amount by which the player can increase the wager. That is, in an optional embodiment, the bet spread, i.e. the spread between the minimum wager and the maximum wager, may be different in the additional games using the depleted finite set than in a hand played with the full finite set of game indicia. In a further optional embodiment, players may not be permitted to increase the wager at all during the additional games. Rather, the player of such an optional embodiment would only be permitted to increase the player's wager in a game following a restoration event. In other words, in such an embodiment, a player may increase the player's wager (or permitted bet spread) only when the finite set is restored of all the excluded game indicia.

In this regard, it is also contemplated that the present method may be adapted to a game in which multiple wager denominations are established. In an optional embodiment of such a multi-denomination game, the player may be restricted in changing denominations in that the player of such an optional embodiment would only be permitted to change the player's wager denomination in a game following a restoration event. That is, as above, in such an optional embodiment a player may change wager denomination only when the full finite set of game indicia is available. One purpose of such optional wager and wager denomination restrictions is to control the house edge as additional game indicia are excluded from play.

For example, in one optional embodiment, a player is enabled to place a wager of anywhere from one hundred to five hundred credits without allowing players too great an ability to reduce the house edge. This is accomplished in this optional embodiment by dividing the wagers into wager denomination levels in which the maximum wager in any one wager denomination level is a predetermined multiple of the minimum wager. The multiple could depend upon the specific game; for example, in a Blackjack-type game, the multiple could be two, in other games, the multiple could be five. Thus, a first wager denomination level is one credit to five credits, a second wager denomination level is five credits to twenty-five credits, a third wager denomination level is ten credits to fifty credits, a fourth wager denomination level is twenty-five credits to one hundred twenty-five credits, and a fifth wager denomination level is one hundred credits to five hundred credits. Thus, a player is permitted to wager anywhere from one to five hundred credits, or at discrete plateaus therein, but may need to change wager denomination to do so.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inventory of the finite set must be restored or reshuffled to a full contingency before a player can increase the wager denomination. For instance, if a player is playing five credits per hand then wishes to raise the wager to one hundred credits per hand, the player cannot do so at the current wager level which would, at most, permit a wager of twenty-five credits per hand (1× to 5×). Thus, the player in such an example would need to change wager denomination to place a wager of one hundred credits per hand. As noted, a change in wager denomination would, in this optional embodiment, be allowed if the player triggers a manual restoration event, i.e. restores the game indicia to the full finite set.

Returning to the optional embodiment of FIG. 1, additional game outcomes are produced using the continuously depleted finite set until a restoration event 124. The restoration event 124 may include a manual restoration event, an automatic restoration event, or a combination thereof. In one optional embodiment, both a manual restoration event and an automatic restoration event are provided, and the restoration occurs based on whichever occurs first. For example, a manual restoration event may include the player triggering a restoration. Similarly, the automatic restoration event may include the depletion (i.e., use) of a predetermined quantity of game indicia from the finite set and/or the production of a predetermined quantity of game outcomes (e.g., conducting a predetermined number of games, hands, spins, or the like). Thus, in an embodiment in which both manual and automatic restoration events are permitted, the player may trigger a restoration or may wait until a restoration automatically occurs after a certain quantity of game indicia are used and/or a certain quantity of game outcomes are produced.

In an optional embodiment, an automatic restoration event may be calculated and fixed from game to game. Thus, in one such optional embodiment, after each restoration event and reconstitution of the game indicia set (as described in greater detail below), an automatic restoration event is determined for the reconstituted game indicia set at a fixed point. The fixed point for the automatic restoration point may be determined in any number of ways, and may be based on any number of factors. For example, in one optional embodiment, the fixed point may be determined to be the point at which a desired house edge is obtained. In one example where a fixed automatic restoration event is used, the trigger for a restoration may is the same occurrence in each series of game outcomes. In another example where a manual restoration event is combined with a fixed automatic restoration event, the trigger for a restoration may be the earlier of a manual restoration or the fixed automatic restoration event.

In an optional embodiment directed for use in a multi-player game, each player may be able to manually trigger a restoration. However, in another optional embodiment for multi-player games, only one player is eligible to manually trigger a restoration on any game outcome. In a further optional embodiment, the eligibility to manually trigger a restoration rotates among the players.

Upon a restoration event, the excluded game indicia are restored 126 to the full finite set of game indicia available for play. In other words, the full finite set of game indicia is available in a game outcome dealt immediately after a restoration event. Optionally, in games in which the game indicia of the finite set are ordered, and game outcomes are produced from the ordered finite set, a restoration event may optionally restore excluded game indicia and reorder the finite set.

According to an optional embodiment of the present method, it may be desirable to track game outcomes to maintain a history of the game indicia available, i.e. the state of depletion, and the game outcomes dealt. In a multi-denomination embodiment of the present invention, the game history may be separately tracked and stored for each wager denomination plus the total games history of a machine.

The optional embodiment of FIG. 2 is one possible version of the present method 140 applied to a game in which multiple, i.e. at least two, simultaneous game outcomes are produced. That is, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, rather than producing game outcomes sequentially from a continuously depleted set of game indicia, the game outcomes are produced simultaneously from a continuously depleted set of game indicia.

As above, a finite set of game indicia is defined 112. In an optional embodiment, the player places 114 a wager and multiple game outcomes are simultaneously produced a player. In this optional embodiment, the multiple game outcomes are produced 142 from the finite set of game indicia while cumulatively excluding used game indicia. That is, as the multiple game outcomes are produced, game indicia used to produce the game outcomes are excluded from use and are not reintroduced into the finite set. For example, if four hands of playing cards are dealt simultaneously from a single deck of playing cards, and an Ace of clubs is dealt to the first hand, the Ace of clubs is unavailable to be dealt to the second, third, or fourth hand.

The wagers are resolved 118 based on the game outcomes. Optionally, the player may choose the order in which the game outcomes are completed. Alternatively, the player may follow a predefined order in playing the game outcomes. As each game outcome is completed, the game indicia of the dealt hands along with any additional game indicia dealt to a game outcome are excluded 144 from the game indicia available in completing another game outcome. That is, throughout the conduct of the method, the available game indicia are depleted by the game indicia dealt. The player is notified 222 of the exclusion of used game indicia in the course of the multiple simultaneous games. For example, in one optional embodiment, at least the game indicia inventory or the winning game outcomes eliminated by the depletion are displayed to the player. The process is repeated 146 until there are no game outcomes remaining to be generated/After all the game outcomes are completed, the excluded game indicia are restored 126 for the next subsequent game.

Below are set forth examples of the present invention as applied to a number of underlying base games. This description should be understood as exemplary only and should not be interpreted as limiting the present method to any particular application.

Reel Slots

In one example, the present method may be applied to reel slot games. In the example of FIGS. 3-6, a reel slot game includes three reels 302, 304, 306 and one pay line 308. The reel slot game may be conducted on any type of device, including an electronic gaming machine, mechanical (or stepper) reel gaming machine, handheld device, cellular telephone, personal computer, tablet, personal digital assistant, kiosk, or the like. In an optional embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the reel slot game may be conducted by a data processor 702 communicating with a display 704 and a player interface 312. A data storage device 706 stores parameters used in the game, such as pay tables, sound files, and, as discussed in greater detail below, the constitution of the finite set of reel symbols. It is contemplated that the data storage device 706 may be fixed or removable from the device. Moreover, it is contemplated that the data storage device 706 may be remote from the device, such as at a server (not shown) communicating with the device via a local area network, wide area network, the Internet, virtual private network, or the like. In an optional embodiment in which the display 704 is a video display rather than a mechanical display, the data storage device 706 may store graphics files.

The data storage device 706 stores program instructions executable by the data processor 702 to conduct a method according to an embodiment of the present invention. As discussed above, in one such optional embodiment, the method is conducted using reels and pay lines. It is contemplated that any number of reels and any quantity of pay lines may be provided in alternate optional embodiments. As may be appreciated, a reel slot game typically includes a number of reels populated with reel symbols positioned at reel stops, i.e., locations on a reel where the reel can stop on a pay line.

Referring generally to FIG. 3, a configuration is illustrated immediately after a restoration event where the finite set of reel symbols available in the game is complete. In this restored configuration, four-hundred and forty reel symbols are available on each reel or, stated differently, 85,184,000 combinations of reel symbols, with one reel symbol per reel, are available (calculated as 440×440×440=85,184,000). It is noted that, in this example, these are not necessarily unique reel combinations since multiple occurrences of each different symbol appear on each reel. For example, in FIG. 3, a reel stop counter 310 displays the quantity of each different reel symbol available on each reel. In this case, for example, a restored inventory includes nine dragon symbols on the first reel 302, six dragon symbols on the second reel 304, and seven dragon symbols on the third reel 306. An inventory of other reel symbols in the restored inventory is likewise displayed on the reel stop counter 310.

To conduct a reel slot game, a wager is received through the player interface 312. As may be appreciated, a player interface 312 may take any form, including a button panel, touch screen, graphical user interface, keyboard, keypad, or the like. In the optional embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3-6, a wager may be allocated from a credit register that stores game credits, i.e., representations of actual or play money stored by the game that can be used for wagering. Optionally, the stored game credits may be displayed in a “CREDIT” display 314. The amount of the wager may be adjusted using a bet button 316 to increase or decrease the number of credits wagered and/or a denomination button 318 to increase or decrease the denomination (or value) of each credit. The result may be displayed in a “TOTAL BET” display 320. Alternatively, a maximum wager may be placed through a “BET MAX” button 322.

Play may be initiated through a “PLAY” button 324 or, in an optional embodiment, automatically after actuating a “BET MAX” button 322. In an optional embodiment, the reels 302, 304, 306 spin or animation is displayed to simulate spinning of the reels 302, 304, 306 and the reels index, e.g., stop, at a randomly selected reel stop thereby displaying a reel symbol combination on a pay line 308 for a game outcome. In the example of FIG. 4, the game outcome, i.e., the reel symbol combination displayed on the three reels, is triple coin-triple coin-single coin. The reel symbol combination is compared to a pay table stored in the data storage device 706 which defines winning reel symbol combinations and associated payouts. In an optional embodiment, the pay table may be displayed to the player through actuation of a PAYTABLE button 326. The pay table may take any form, although as may be appreciated, the pay table would correlate to the frequency of winning outcomes so that a house advantage is maintained. In the example of FIG. 4, the mixed coin reel symbol combination results in a payout of five credits which may be displayed in a “WIN PAID” display 330.

As game outcomes are produced, the game indicia or reel symbols used to produce the game outcome are removed, excluded or otherwise depleted, from the finite inventory of game indicia or reel symbols available in the game. In the example of FIGS. 3-6, the finite set includes multiple copies of reel symbols, so depleting it is possible for any reel symbol to be removed from the finite set a number of times before a reel symbol becomes entirely unavailable in a game. For example, the full inventory of a finite set displayed in FIG. 3 includes nine dragon symbols on the first reel 302. This means that the dragon symbol may appear on a pay line 308 nine times (and thereby have nine iterations of the dragon symbol excluded from the first reel 302) before the dragon symbol is no longer available on the first reel 302.

In the example of FIG. 4, the game outcome of triple coin-triple coin-single coin results in a removal of a triple coin reel symbol from the first reel 302 and second reel 304 and a removal of a single coin symbol from the third reel 306. In the optional embodiment of FIG. 4, a reel stop counter 310 shows the reel symbols remaining on each reel 302, 304, 306. Comparing the reel stop counter 310 of FIG. 3 to the reel stop counter of FIG. 4, it is apparent that the quantity of triple coin reel symbols has decreased by one on the first reel 302 and second reel 304 and the quantity of single coin reel symbols has decreased by one on the third reel 306. A subsequent game could be conducted using the depleted finite set, i.e., the finite set excluding the reel symbols used to produce the preceding game outcome(s). Alternatively, the finite set may be restored by actuating a “RESTORE” button 328, which would trigger a restoration event and return excluded game indicia, e.g., reel symbols, to the finite set. In such an optional embodiment, the player may have the option to trigger a manual restoration event before any game.

An example is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 of games in which a player elects not to trigger a manual restoration but instead elects to have the data processor 702 conduct additional games using the depleted finite set. That is, the example game of FIG. 5 follows the example game of FIG. 4 and, thus, the reel stop counter 310 of FIG. 5 illustrates that the reel symbols used to produce the game outcome of FIG. 4 have been removed from play and that the reel symbols used to produce the game outcome of FIG. 5 have also been removed from play. That is, comparing the reel stop counter 310 of FIG. 5 to the full inventory shown in the reel stop counter of FIG. 3, a triple coin reel symbol and a bamboo reel symbol have been removed from the inventory for the first reel 302, a triple coin reel symbol and a blank reel symbol (which, in this embodiment, is treated as a reel symbol) have been removed from the inventory for the second reel 304, and a single coin reel symbol and a bamboo reel symbol have been removed from the inventory for the third reel 306.

The example game of FIG. 6 is conducted after the example game of FIG. 5 and, one again, illustrates the continuous depletion of reel symbols from the finite set as reel symbols are used to produce game outcomes. Comparing the reel stop counter 310 of FIG. 6 to the full finite set illustrated on the reel stop counter 310 of FIG. 3, two triple coin reel symbols and a bamboo reel symbol have been removed from the inventory available for the first reel 302, a triple coin reel symbol and two blank reel symbols have been removed from the inventory available for the second reel 304, and a single coin reel symbol, a double coin reel symbol, and a bamboo reel symbol have been removed from the inventory available for the third reel 306. Again, in an optional embodiment, the finite set could be replenished upon a manual restoration event triggered through a “RESTORE” button 328. In a further optional embodiment, the finite set may be automatically restored after depleting a predetermined quantity of reel symbols from the finite set. In one such optional embodiment, for example, an automatic restoration event may occur when 352 reel symbols of the 440 available reel symbols on each reel 302, 304, 306 have been removed from play, i.e., 88 reel symbols remain on each reel 302, 304, 306.

It is noted that the description states that reel symbols are depleted from the inventory of a finite set available for selection. In an optional embodiment, such as a mechanical (or stepper) reel slot machine, reel symbols are affixed to physical, mechanical reels and, thus, the reel symbols cannot be “depleted” from the reel symbol inventory strictly speaking. It is contemplated, however, that in an optional embodiment, whether video or mechanical, the reel symbols are “removed” after selection by removing a reel stop containing the reel symbol from the possible reel stops in the game. Stated differently, in an optional embodiment directed to a physical, mechanical reel, since reel symbols cannot be removed from a reel, a reel stop containing the reel symbol is “skipped” during a game, thereby effectively removing the reel symbol from play.

Bonus Features

In another example, the present invention could be applied to a bonus feature. In one such optional embodiment, the bonus feature is conducted on a bonus display separate from a base game display. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 8-10, a bonus feature could be conducted on a top box that is positioned above the base game display. In another optional embodiment, the bonus feature is conducted on a secondary screen on the base game display. For example, in the optional embodiment of FIGS. 11-13, the bonus feature may be conducted on a secondary screen that appears on a base game display. That is, when the bonus feature is initiated, the secondary screen appears on a base game display to replace or share space with the base game.

In an optional embodiment, a bonus feature may be conducted without requiring a separate wager. That is, in one such optional embodiment, a bonus feature is triggered from a base game, by a random mystery trigger, by base or bonus feature conducted at a device linked to the bonus feature, or the like, and the bonus feature is conducted merely to determine a bonus outcome without first receiving a wager.

More particularly, in one such optional embodiment, a bonus feature may be triggered by obtaining a triggering outcome in a base game. In a reel slot game, a triggering outcome may be a predetermined reel symbol combination. In a card game, such as video poker, a triggering outcome may be a predetermined card combination or hand. In a numbers game, such as keno, bingo, or the like, a triggering outcome may be a predetermined pattern, sequence, number selection, quantity of matches, or the like. As may be appreciated, many other games and/or triggering outcomes may be defined within the scope of the present invention.

In another optional embodiment, a bonus feature may be triggered by a mystery trigger. Such a mystery trigger may be a wholly random event, such as a random number generated by a jackpot controller or a gaming device. Alternatively, a mystery trigger, particularly at a bank of linked gaming devices, could include a randomly selected index number and a bonus feature may be triggered by the gaming device that causes a cumulative counter to match (or, alternatively, exceed) the index number. It is contemplated that a mystery trigger could take many other forms in alternate or additional embodiments.

After triggering the bonus feature, the bonus feature is conducted. The bonus feature may include a bonus outcome generated using a random selector such as a random number generator, the spin of a wheel, draw of a card, spin of a reel, or the like. One such example is illustrated in FIGS. 8-10. In the optional embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8-10, a wheel 600 includes segments 602 which display game indicia representing a finite set of available bonus outcomes. While the game indicia and bonus outcomes displayed in FIGS. 8-10 are credit awards, it is contemplated that the bonus outcomes could include anything, including free games, in-kind prizes (such as a car, for example), or any other award.

Also, while the game indicia of FIGS. 8-10 represent the bonus outcome associated with the game indicia (e.g., “100” represents an award of one hundred credits), in another optional embodiment, game indicia may be symbols that do not directly identify prizes or payouts. In one such optional embodiment, game indicia may result in the award of a bonus outcome alone, when combined or matched with other game indicia, or both. For example, a wheel may include a game indicium in each segment and a prize may be awarded if a winning combination of game indicia is obtained over a series of wheel spins. In another example, a wheel may include a game indicium in each segment and a prize may be awarded if the game indicium selected on the wheel matches a game indicium appearing on a separate display, such as the base game display.

In any event, in the optional embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8-10, a bonus feature is conducted on a bonus display. In this case, the bonus feature includes spinning, or displaying animation to simulate spinning, of a wheel 600. The segment 602 that aligns with a pointer 604 at the end of a spin is selected. In this example game, the selected segment 602 contains a game indicium that identifies the bonus outcome associated with that game indicium. In the example of FIGS. 8-10, the bonus outcomes are credit awards awarded to the player.

After a bonus outcome has been selected (whether or not it results in a bonus prize being awarded), it is excluded from the finite set of available bonus outcomes until a restoration event. Thus, in the example of FIGS. 8-10, a first spin, illustrated in FIG. 8, results in a selection of a bonus outcome of twenty credits. The bonus outcome of a twenty credit bonus award is depleted from the finite set of available bonus outcomes which is signified, in this case, by excluding the “20” game indicium from the selectable game indicia displayed on the wheel 600 until a restoration event occurs. The result is that in the next wheel spin conducted by on the bonus display, only eleven bonus outcomes are possible rather than the original twelve bonus outcomes. This leads to the actual or perceived adjustment of the probability that any of the remaining bonus outcomes could be selected in a subsequent bonus feature conducted using the depleted finite set of bonus outcomes.

A subsequent spin of the wheel 600 is illustrated in FIG. 9. It is contemplated that the subsequent spin could occur in the same bonus feature or in a different bonus feature. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the previously-selected bonus outcome, in this example the bonus outcome representing a twenty credit award and the “20” game indicium, are removed from the inventory of the finite set. Thus, after the segment marked with the “20” game indicium is selected and excluded, as illustrated in FIG. 9, only eleven possible prizes appear on the wheel thereby increasing the perceived and/or actual likelihood of any particular prize being selected. In the example of FIG. 9, a bonus outcome of ten credits was selected.

In a subsequent spin, bearing in mind that the subsequent spin may occur in the same bonus feature or a later, separate bonus feature, the segment marked with the “10” game indicium has been excluded, leaving ten possible prizes. Again the perceived and/or actual likelihood of any remaining prize being selected has increased. An example of such a subsequent spin is illustrated in FIG. 10, which shows the selection of a prize of two hundred and fifty credits and illustrates the removal, e.g. exclusion or depletion, of the “20” and “10” game indicia from display on the wheel 600 to notify a player that those bonus outcomes are no longer available. That is, rather than providing a separate display, in one such optional embodiment, the wheel 600 may serve to notify the player that bonus outcomes have been excluded from the finite set of available bonus outcomes.

Such selection and removal of selected game outcomes continues until a restoration event. The restoration event may take any form. Specifically, the restoration event for the bonus feature may be related to, concurrent with, or different from the restoration event, if any, in the base game. Thus, in one example, the restoration event may be concurrent with the restoration event in a base game. In such an optional embodiment, the base game utilizes a method in which used game indicia are continuously excluded from a finite set used to generate game outcomes across multiple games or multiple outcomes within a single game. When a restoration event occurs in the base game, a restoration may automatically occur in the bonus feature as well. For example, in one optional embodiment, a restoration event may include a manual restoration or an automatic restoration based on the quantity of game indicia or game outcomes depleted in the base game, whichever occurs first. In an optional embodiment, either the manual restoration event or the automatic restoration event occurring in the base game causes a bonus feature restoration event, i.e., the restoration of the excluded bonus outcomes excluded from the bonus feature to the finite set of bonus outcomes.

In another optional embodiment, the bonus feature restoration event may relate to a base game, but not necessarily to a base game restoration event. Thus, in one such optional embodiment, the base game need not utilize a method of continuous intergame depletion as described herein. Rather, the base game may, or may not, utilize a method of continuous intergame depletion of used game indicia or selected game outcomes, even though such a method is used in the bonus feature. In one such optional embodiment, a trigger may be defined in the base game which causes a bonus feature restoration. Such a trigger may take any form, including a base game outcome, such as a reel symbol combination, playing card hand, keno or bingo number or number combination, or any other base game outcome. Similarly, a trigger could be a pattern of base game outcomes, such as a winning streak, losing streak, or the like.

In yet another optional embodiment, the restoration event may be completely independent of the base game. Again, in such an optional embodiment, the base game may, but is not required to, utilize the continuous intergame depletion of game indicia. That is, since the bonus feature uses a separate and independent restoration event, the events of the base game are not determinative of the restoration event in the bonus feature. As discussed elsewhere, in an optional embodiment, a restoration event may include a manual restoration event, an automatic restoration event, or both. For example, in one optional embodiment, a restoration event may triggered manually by receiving an input from the player. In another optional embodiment, a restoration event may be triggered automatically based on the quantity of bonus outcomes depleted, e.g., excluded, from the finite set, the quantity of bonus outcomes produced, or the like. In yet another optional embodiment, a restoration event may be triggered by a manual restoration event or an automatic restoration event, whichever occurs first.

As suggested above, the bonus feature shown in the examples of FIGS. 8-10 may include any quantity of spins of a wheel 600. For example, a bonus feature may include multiple spins, with each selected bonus outcome depleted from the finite set of bonus outcomes available for the next spin within the same bonus feature or a subsequent bonus feature. Alternatively, a bonus feature may include only a single spin, with the selected bonus outcome depleted from the finite set of bonus outcomes available in a subsequent bonus feature. It is contemplated that a restoration event may occur at any time during or between bonus features, or a restoration event may occur only at defined points in a bonus feature. For example, in an one optional embodiment in which a bonus feature includes multiple spins of a wheel 600, a manual restoration event may be available at any point during the multiple spins or may only be available at the beginning of the bonus feature, i.e., before any of the spins occur.

Referring to FIGS. 11-13, in an alternate optional embodiment, a finite set of bonus outcomes may be displayed and one or more selections of those bonus outcomes may be received through, for example, a player interface 312. In one such optional embodiment, a player may be presented with a plurality of selectable game indicia 1102. Upon making a selection, the bonus outcome associated with that selection is produced. As with the optional embodiment described above, the bonus outcome may take any form, including a credit award, in-kind prize, free play, or any other outcome. It is also contemplated that the bonus outcome need not necessarily always be a winning outcome. That is, in one optional embodiment, a bonus outcome always results in an award. In another optional embodiment, a bonus outcome may result in an award or not result in an award, depending on the bonus feature. Put another way, in one optional embodiment, a bonus feature is guaranteed to result in a winning bonus outcome whereas in an alternate optional embodiment, a bonus feature may result in a winning bonus outcome or a losing bonus outcome.

In the optional embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11-13, a player's selection results in a bonus outcome of a credit award. The credit award is issued to the player and the selected bonus outcomes are excluded from the finite set of bonus outcomes until a restoration event. The player may be notified of the exclusion of the selected bonus outcomes through a display of the constitution of the finite set, a display of the selected (and excluded) bonus outcomes, or the like. In the optional embodiment of FIGS. 11-13, the constitution of the finite set and the excluded bonus outcomes are displayed. That is, in the example of FIG. 11, two selections are received. A bonus counter 1104 displays the constitution of the full finite set, i.e., the bonus outcomes that may be produced in the course of the bonus feature. As illustrated in FIG. 12, two game indicia are selected and the selections result in a bonus outcomes of “20 CREDITS” and “250 CREDITS” for a total of two hundred seventy credits awarded. A bonus counter is updated to reflect that the selected bonus outcomes are not available among the remaining selections, i.e., that the selected bonus outcomes have been excluded or depleted from the finite set of bonus outcomes. In this regard, it is noted that the finite set may contain any quantity of bonus outcomes, in any distribution. In the ensuing bonus game, the bonus counter 1104 only displays the bonus outcomes available after depletion and, in the example of FIG. 13, removes game indicia, e.g., boxes, from the display to illustrate that two of the bonus outcomes have been selected and excluded from the finite set of bonus outcomes.

Ban-Nag

For example, the present method may be applied to Ban-Nag or similar Blackjack-type games. In an optional single player embodiment, one or more game hands are played against a dealer's hand with the object being to obtain a player game hand, the total of which is nearer to twenty-one than the dealer's game hand total is, without exceeding twenty-one. As known in the art, in the present optional embodiment, the Aces count as either one, ten, or eleven (depending on the other cards in the hand), face cards (kings, queens and jacks) as ten, and the numbered cards as their face value. Optionally, the value of an Ace in a hand may be determined according to the following table:

Number of cards in the hand Value of an Ace 2 10 or 11 3  1 or 10 4 1

Each player places a base wager and, in an optional embodiment, an escrow. Optionally, the escrow is mandatory and is a fixed quantity, such as twice the base wager amount. An initial player hand of two cards is dealt face up to the player and an initial dealer hand of two cards is dealt face down to the dealer. The initial dealer hand is displayed after the player completes the final player hand. However, if the initial dealer hand is a Blackjack, i.e. an Ace and a ten-value card or two Aces, then optionally both cards of the dealer are displayed and the game hand is over. Conversely, if a player's first two cards are a Blackjack, the player is typically paid greater than even money assuming the dealer does not also have a Blackjack. In an optional embodiment, the award for a Blackjack could vary, and could depend upon the type of Blackjack obtained, according to a hand resolution table such as the following:

Player Hand Dealer Hand Outcome Ace-Ace (Ban-Ban) Ace-Ace (Ban-Ban) Push Total of Fifteen Optional escape All Other Hands Player paid 3:1 Ace-Ten Value Ace-Ace (Ban-Ban) Dealer collects 3:1 (Ban-Nag) Ace-Ten Value (Ban-Nag) Push Total of Fifteen Optional escape All Other Hands Dealer collects 2:1

If the dealer has a Blackjack in the initial dealer hand, i.e. a hand consisting of either two aces, or an ace and a ten-value card, the dealer is rewarded and the hand is terminated for all players. Optionally, the reward varies with the type of Blackjack obtained according to a pay table, such as the following:

Dealer Hand Player Hand Outcome Two Aces (Ban-Ban) Two Aces (Ban-Ban) Push Total of Fifteen Escape All Others Dealer collects 3:1 Ace/Ten-Value Two Aces (Ban-Ban) Player paid 3:1 (Ban-Nag) Ace/Ten-Value (Ban-Nag) Push Total of Fifteen Escape All Others Dealer collects 2:1

If neither the player nor the dealer has a Blackjack hand, the player completes a final player hand. Optionally, the player's options in forming the final hand may depend on the hand total and the number of cards in the player hand. For example, in an optional embodiment, the following player options may be permitted:

Player Hand Player Options 15 or less on four cards or less Hit 16 to 20 on four cards or less Hit or stand 16 to 20 on five cards Player stands and is paid 2:1 if the player hand beats the dealer hand More than 21 Bust, player loses 21 on four cards Player stands and is paid 2:1 if the player hand beats the dealer hand 21 on five cards Player stands and is paid 3:1 if the player hand beats the dealer hand 20 or less on six or more Player stands and is paid 3:1 if the player cards hand beats the dealer hand

In an optional embodiment, a “free hand” may be designated. For example, in an optional embodiment, a free hand may be a hand totaling fifteen. In such an optional embodiment, if, at any point in the play of a hand, a player achieves a hand totaling fifteen, the player has the option to escape, and push his wager, regardless of the dealer hand. Alternatively, the player has the option to continue play, foregoing the escape option.

Optionally, the escape option may be available to the dealer if the dealer obtains a free hand. For example, in an optional embodiment, if the dealer receives a hand totaling fifteen, the dealer has the option to escape, declaring a non-hand, pushing all wagers. Alternatively, the dealer has the option to continue playing the hand, foregoing the escape option. Optionally, the dealer escape election may be limited in some fashion. For example, in one such optional embodiment, the dealer's exercise of the escape option is determined by deck factors, such as the number of cards depleted, the number of hands dealt, or the like.

In an optional embodiment, a proposition wager may be offered. For example, in one optional embodiment, a player with a player game hand having an eligible sum may elect to place a proposition wager referred to as a “Perfect Hit” wager. In one optional embodiment, an eligible sum is a hand sum ranging between twelve through sixteen. A player electing to place the proposition wager is rewarded if the player obtains a player game hand with a specified target sum. In an optional embodiment, the target sum is twenty-one, although in alternate optional embodiments, different or additional target sums could be specified. In an optional embodiment, the proposition wager may be available for election by the player at any time after the initial player hand is dealt. In a further optional embodiment, the proposition wager may be elected more than once during a game hand if the player still retains a player game hand with an eligible player game hand sum, e.g. between twelve and sixteen in the example above. In an optional embodiment, a player winning the proposition wager may be rewarded at different rates depending upon the number of additional cards the player receives before reaching the target value. For example, in an optional embodiment, if a player places a proposition wager and receives only one additional card to reach the target value, the player may be rewarded at a first rate, such as 9 to 1, whereas a player needing more than one additional card to reach the target value may be rewarded at a second rate less than the first rate. Optionally, the proposition wager is resolved in game hands where the dealer has Blackjack if the bet was placed before dealer shows a Blackjack hand.

If the dealer has a hand totaling less than twenty-one, the dealer completes the final dealer hand. In an optional embodiment, the dealer options in forming the final dealer hand are parallel to the player options in forming the final player hand as described above. In a further optional embodiment, the dealer options may be supplemented by house ways rules to prescribe the circumstances in which the dealer hits or stands on dealer hands totaling between 16 and 20.

If the dealer busts, all remaining final player hands, i.e. final player hands that have not busted, are paid at 1:1. If the dealer stands, the remaining final player hands are compared to the final dealer hand. If the total of the dealer final hand is higher than that of a player final hand, the player loses his base wager. If the total of a player final hand is higher than that of the dealer final hand, the player wins and is paid at 1:1. If the total of a player final hand equals that of the dealer final hand, that player pushes, i.e. neither wins nor loses. Optionally, as the potential for a player losing more than his wager exists where the dealer has a Ban-Ban, a Ban-Nag, or a hand containing five cards. In this circumstance, the player loses his base wager and a portion or all of his escrow.

Thus, in one optional embodiment, the possible outcomes may be summarized as shown in the following example table:

Player Hand Dealer Hand Outcome Total of 15 All Hands Optional player escape Over 21 All Hands Dealer collects 1:1 Equal to 21 (four cards) Ace-Ace (Ban-Ban) Dealer collects 3:1 Ace-Ten Value Dealer collects 2:1 (Ban-Nag) All Other Hands Player paid 2:1 Equal to 21 (five cards) All Hands Player paid 3:1 Less than 21 (five cards) All Hands Player paid 2:1 Less than 21 (six or more All Hands Player paid 3:1 cards) All Other Hands Ace-Ace (Ban-Ban) Dealer collects 3:1 Ace-Ten Value Dealer collects 2:1 (Ban-Nag) Total of Fifteen Optional dealer escape Over twenty-one Player paid 1:1 All Other Hands Closest to 21 paid 1:1

In this optional embodiment, one or more fifty-two card standard poker decks are used. In an optional embodiment, as many as eight decks or more may be used. According to the present invention, multiple hands are played from the deck and dealt cards are retired from further play until a restoration event.

More specifically, as each game indicium, i.e. playing card, is dealt to either a player hand or a dealer hand, it is displayed to the player and removed from the deck inventory. That is, each card in a conventional poker deck is a separate symbol and as each symbol is played there is a balance of zero for that symbol in the deck inventory. When a symbol or combination of symbols that can form a winning combination for a listed payout is not available as a consequence of the exclusion of dealt cards, a display notifies the player. As applied to Ban-Nag, this information may be used by a player determining whether to elect an Escape option on a hand total of fifteen. Optionally, the player may manually restore or reshuffle the deck inventory if the player chooses to do so.

As noted above, a restoration event could be a manual restoration triggered by a player, an automatic restoration, or a combination thereof. For example, in one optional embodiment, the player may have the ability to manually trigger an early reshuffle of the deck inventory after any completed hand by utilizing the “Reshuffle” button function of the game. Additionally or alternatively, a game may be conducted using a finite set of one or two decks of cards and an automatic restoration point may be set at a point where 75% of the cards have been depleted. In an alternate optional embodiment, a game may be conducted using a finite set of one deck and an automatic restoration point may be set at a point where twenty-nine cards or less remain in the finite set or when there are one or zero Aces remaining in the finite set. The present game may also be directed for use in a multi-player format. In such an embodiment, any player may be able to manually trigger a restoration or, in an optional embodiment, the ability to manually trigger a restoration may rotate among players.

As above, limits on the bet spread (i.e. the difference between the minimum and maximum wager) and the ability of the player to change wager denomination may apply. That is, in an optional embodiment, the player may be restricted from changing wager denomination except after excluded indicia are restored either manually or automatically.

In an optional embodiment, each player may play multiple game hands dealt simultaneously. That is, in such an optional embodiment, two or more hands are dealt to the player and one hand to the dealer.

While the player may be required to complete the player's game hands in a particular sequence, in an optional embodiment, the player may select the order in which the hands are played. Thus, one strategy would be to use the display of the excluded cards, or alternatively the cards not excluded, the player may play the game hands in the order that optimizes the player's chance of obtaining a particular card. As above, a Blackjack is an automatic win for the player unless the dealer also has a blackjack hand. All hands lose if dealer has a Blackjack, except that if the player has one or more Blackjacks a push outcome may occur.

As above, cards are dealt from the continuously depleted deck until an automatic restoration event or manual restoration event, whichever occurs first. In this optional embodiment, an automatic restoration occurs when a quantity of cards have been dealt. Additionally, the player may also manually trigger a restoration after the dealer hand is completed.

It is specifically noted that the present invention is not limited to video gaming machine and computer, e.g. Internet, play. Rather, the present invention may be applied to table games as well. According to an optional embodiment, a table version of the present invention may include an object placed in front of only one player on any game hand to represent a “Reshuffle” button. This “Reshuffle” button would allow only one player to manually trigger a restoration before an automatic restoration. Optionally, the “Reshuffle” button rotates each time the deck is restored, either manually or automatically.

It is further noted that the quantity of cards played before an automatic restoration can be significant. By utilizing a consistent automatic restoration point, there is less risk that the house advantage will be too low or that the player will gain an advantage. For example, in a game using six-decks of playing cards, the automatic restoration point set at seventy-eight cards remaining gives an average casino hold of 2.42% over the long term. However, by setting the automatic restoration point at seventy-nine cards remaining, the average casino hold raises to 2.53% over the long term.

Thus, by controlling the automatic restoration point, along with the minimum and maximum wager spread and any limitations on changing wager denomination, a Ban-Nag or similar game can be created applying the present method that does not allow the player to have an advantage over the house.

Blackjack-Type Games

The present method may also be applied to Blackjack or Blackjack-type games. In an optional single player embodiment, one or more hands are played against a dealer's hand with the object being to obtain a player hand, the total of which is nearer to twenty-one than the dealer's hand total is, without exceeding twenty-one. As known in the art, in the present optional embodiment, the Aces count as either one or eleven, face cards (kings, queens and jacks) as ten, and the numbered cards as their face value.

Two cards are dealt face up to the player and two cards are dealt to the dealer, one face up and one face down, commonly known as the hole card. The dealer's hole card is displayed after the player completes the player's game hand. However, if the dealer's hand is a natural twenty-one, i.e. an ace and a ten-value card also known as Blackjack, in a version of the game that does not have the insurance option, then both cards of the dealer are displayed and the game hand is over. Conversely, if a player's first two cards are a natural twenty-one, or Blackjack, the player is typically paid greater than even money assuming the dealer does not also have a Blackjack. The precise award for a Blackjack could vary.

If, after completing the game hand by hitting or standing, the total value of the player's game hand is closer to twenty-one than the dealer's hand, then the player will win and be paid, optionally at even money. Additional options, such as splitting and doubling down may also be made available to the player. If a player's cards total more than twenty-one, the player busts and the player loses the wager bet. If the player and dealer have the same hand totals of seventeen or more a push occurs and bets are returned.

As above, in an optional embodiment, a proposition wager may be offered. For example, in one optional embodiment, a player with a player game hand having an eligible sum may elect to place a proposition wager referred to as a “Perfect Hit” wager. In one optional embodiment, an eligible sum is a hand sum ranging between a hard or soft twelve through sixteen. As is understood in this game, a “hard” hand sum occurs when a hand lacks any Aces, or Aces in the hand are counted as one; a “soft” hand sum occurs when a hand includes Aces counted as eleven. A player electing to place the proposition wager is rewarded if the player obtains a player game hand with a specified target sum. In an optional embodiment, the target sum is twenty-one, although in alternate optional embodiments, different or additional target sums could be specified. Optionally, the player may be rewarded for any player game hand reaching the hand sum in two or more cards including before or after split hands. In an optional embodiment, the proposition wager may be available for election by the player at any time after the initial player hand is dealt. In a further optional embodiment, the proposition wager may be elected more than once during a game hand if the player still retains a player game hand with an eligible player game hand sum, e.g. between twelve and sixteen in the example above, unless the player has doubled down on a hand. Optionally, a player may be permitted to place the proposition wager only prior to doubling down. In an optional embodiment, a player winning the proposition wager may be rewarded at different rates depending upon the number of additional cards the player receives before reaching the target value. For example, in an optional embodiment, if a player places a proposition wager and receives only one additional card to reach the target value, the player may be rewarded at a first rate, such as 9 to 1, whereas a player needing more than one additional card to reach the target value may be rewarded at a second rate less than the first rate. Optionally, the proposition wager is resolved in game hands where the dealer has Blackjack if the bet was placed before dealer shows a Blackjack hand.

Such a proposition wager may be offered on any game with any size finite set. As may be appreciated, the present method may aid the player in calculating the optimum time to place the bonus bet by utilizing the card depletion and the display of cards depleted, cards remaining, or outcomes depleted. Optionally, the proposition wager is separately recorded and separately accounted for.

In this optional embodiment, one or more fifty-two card standard poker decks are used. In an optional embodiment, as many as eight decks or more may be used. According to the present invention, multiple hands are played from the deck and dealt cards are excluded from further play until a restoration event.

More specifically, as each game indicia, i.e. playing card, is dealt to either a player hand or a dealer hand, it is displayed to the player and removed from the deck inventory. That is, each card in a conventional poker deck is a separate symbol and as each symbol is played there is a balance of zero for that symbol in the deck inventory. When a symbol or combination of symbols that can form a winning combination for a listed payout is not available as a consequence of the exclusion of dealt cards, a display notifies the player. Optionally, the player may manually restore or reshuffle the deck inventory if the player chooses to do so. For example, if, as a result of the depletion, the Blackjack combination is eliminated, a display is provided to the player.

As suggested, the player has the ability to manually trigger an early reshuffle of the deck inventory after any completed hand by utilizing the “Reshuffle” button function of the game. The present game may also be directed for use in a multi-player format. In such an embodiment, any player may be able to manually trigger a restoration or, in an optional embodiment, the ability to manually trigger a restoration may rotate among players.

As above, limits on the bet spread (i.e. the difference between the minimum and maximum wager) and the ability of the player to change wager denomination may apply. That is, in an optional embodiment, the player may be restricted from changing wager denomination except after excluded indicia are restored either manually or automatically.

In an optional embodiment, each player may play multiple game hands dealt simultaneously. That is, in such an optional embodiment, two or more hands are dealt to the player and one hand to the dealer.

While the player may be required to complete the player's game hands in a particular sequence, in an optional embodiment, the player may select the order in which the hands are played. Thus, one strategy would be to use the display of the excluded cards, or alternatively the cards not excluded, the player may play the game hands in the order that optimizes the player's chance of obtaining a particular card. As above, a Blackjack is an automatic win for the player unless the dealer also has a blackjack hand. All hands lose if dealer has a Blackjack, except that if the player has one or more Blackjacks a push outcome may occur.

As above, cards are dealt from the continuously depleted deck until an automatic restoration event or manual restoration event, whichever occurs first. In this optional embodiment, an automatic restoration occurs when a quantity of cards have been dealt. Additionally, the player may also manually trigger a restoration after the dealer hand is completed.

In a further optional embodiment, a bonus may be provided for occurrences over multiple game hands. For example, in one optional embodiment, three game hands are dealt to the player and one hand to the dealer. In this optional embodiment, the player receives a bonus payout for multiple Blackjacks, such as three Blackjacks for the three simultaneously dealt player game hands. In another optional embodiment, a player may be dealt four game hands and a bonus may be provide for multiple Blackjacks, such as two, three, or four Blackjacks, in the four simultaneously dealt player game hands.

It is specifically noted that the present invention is not limited to video gaming machine and computer, e.g. Internet, play. Rather, the present invention may be applied to table games as well. According to an optional embodiment, a table version of the present invention may include an object placed in front of only one player on any game hand to represent a “Reshuffle” button. This “Reshuffle” button would allow only one player to manually trigger a restoration before an automatic restoration. Optionally, the “Reshuffle” button rotates each time the deck is restored, either manually or automatically.

It is further noted that the quantity of cards played before an automatic restoration can be significant. By utilizing a consistent automatic restoration point, a payout of any blackjack type game will have less risk that the house advantage will be too low or that the player will gain an advantage. For example, in a game using six-decks of playing cards, the automatic restoration point set at seventy-eight cards remaining gives an average casino hold of 2.42% over the long term. However, by setting the automatic restoration point at seventy-nine cards remaining, the average casino hold raises to 2.53% over the long term.

Thus, by controlling the automatic restoration point, along with the minimum and maximum wager spread and any limitations on changing wager denomination, a Blackjack-type game can be created applying the present method that does not allow the player to have an advantage over the house. Thus, in an optional embodiment, the present invention includes the calculation of an automatic restoration point to minimize the risk that the player will gain an advantage, or that the house will lose an advantage, over the long term including such factors as the size of the finite set. The present invention further includes using such a calculated automatic restoration point consistently such as by automatically restoring the game indicia in an electronic version, or by marking a shoe of playing cards to include a guide, e.g. a channel, groove or visual marker, to position mark a consistent automatic restoration position when the decks are restored.

While certain embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described it is to be understood that the present invention is subject to many modifications and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims presented herein. 

1. A method of conducting a game for a player at a device including a data processor in communication with a data storage device, a display, and a player interface, comprising: storing a finite set of game indicia at said data storage device; executing by said data processor of program instructions stored at said data storage device for conducting a game comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a wager through said player interface; (b) displaying at said display a game outcome using at least one game indicium from said finite set cumulatively excluding all game indicia used to produce previous game outcomes, if any and resolving said wager based on said game outcome; and (c) excluding all game indicia used to display said game outcome, accumulated with all game indicia used to produce previous game outcomes, if any, from use to produce a subsequent game outcome; notifying the player of the exclusion of game indicia from said finite set as a result of being used to produce previous game outcomes, if any, by providing information describing the finite set remaining until a restoration event; conducting by said data processor of additional sequential games of steps (a)-(c) until said restoration event; and upon said restoration event, restoring excluded game indicia to said finite set by said data processor.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said game indicia comprise reel symbols and the step of displaying a game outcome comprises: storing at said data storage device a matrix containing a plurality of reel symbol positions and at least one pay line associated with said reel symbol positions; storing at said data storage device a pay table defining payouts associated with reel symbol combinations along said at least one pay line; randomly selecting a plurality of reel symbols from said finite set cumulatively excluding all reel symbols used to produce previous game outcomes, if any, by said data processor; locating said selected reel symbols in said matrix by said data processor; and determining by said data processor the reel symbol combination along said at least one pay line and the payout, if any, associated with said reel symbol combination according to said pay table.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said restoration event comprises a manual restoration event triggered by said player.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein said restoration event includes an automatic restoration event comprising at least one of: producing a predetermined quantity of game outcomes or using a predetermined quantity of said game indicia.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein said restoration event includes a manual restoration event or an automatic restoration event, whichever occurs first, said automatic restoration event comprising at least one of: producing a predetermined quantity of game outcomes or using a predetermined quantity of said game indicia.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of notifying the player of the exclusion of game indicia from said finite set comprises displaying at least one of: the inventory of said game indicia from said finite set cumulatively excluding all game indicia used in previous game outcomes or winning outcomes eliminated as a result of said excluded game indicia.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of notifying the player of the exclusion of game indicia from said finite set comprises displaying a graphic illustrating the relative quantity of game indicia remaining in said finite set without specifically identifying the game indicia remaining in said finite set.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of notifying the player of the exclusion of game indicia from said finite set comprises displaying the quantity of game outcomes remaining before a restoration event.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of notifying the player of the exclusion of game indicia from said finite set comprises displaying the quantity of game indicia remaining before a restoration event.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of notifying the player of the exclusion of game indicia from said finite set comprises displaying the constitution of the finite set and identifying said restoration point.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein said game further comprises: receiving an escrow through said player interface simultaneous with receiving said wager; and resolving said escrow based on said game outcome, said game outcome consisting of the possibility of a winning game outcome in which said wager is rewarded and a losing game outcome in which at least said wager is collected, wherein said escrow is collected from said player if said wager is insufficient to cover said player's losing game outcome, said escrow is returned to said player upon a winning game outcome, and said escrow is returned to said player upon a losing game outcome in which said wager is sufficient to cover said player's losing game outcome.
 12. A method of conducting a game for a player at a device including a data processor in communication with a data storage device, a display, and a player interface, comprising: storing a finite set of reel symbols at said data storage device; executing by said data processor of program instructions stored at said data storage device for conducting a game comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a wager through said player interface; (b) displaying at said display a game outcome using at least one reel symbol from said finite set cumulatively excluding all reel symbols used to produce previous game outcomes, if any and resolving said wager based on said game outcome; and (c) excluding all game indicia used to display said game outcome, accumulated with all game indicia used to produce previous game outcomes, if any, from use to produce a subsequent game outcome; notifying the player of the exclusion of reel symbols from said finite set as a result of being used to produce previous game outcomes, if any, by providing at said display a visual representation of the finite set remaining until a restoration event; conducting by said data processor of additional sequential games of steps (a)-(c) cumulatively excluding reel symbols from said finite set until a restoration event; and upon a restoration event, restoring excluded reel symbols to said finite set by said data processor.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of displaying a game outcome comprises: storing at said data storage device a matrix containing a plurality of reel symbol positions and at least one pay line associated with said reel symbol positions; storing at said data storage device a pay table defining payouts associated with reel symbol combinations along said at least one pay line; randomly selecting a plurality of reel symbols from said finite set cumulatively excluding all reel symbols used to produce previous game outcomes, if any, by said data processor; locating said selected reel symbols in said matrix by said data processor; and determining by said data processor the reel symbol combination along said at least one pay line and the payout, if any, associated with said reel symbol combination according to said pay table.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein said restoration event includes a manual restoration event triggered by said player.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein said restoration event includes a manual restoration event triggered by said player or an automatic restoration event, whichever occurs first, said automatic restoration event comprising at least one of: producing a predetermined quantity of game outcomes and using a predetermined quantity of said reel symbols.
 16. The method of claim 12 wherein said restoration event includes an automatic restoration event comprising at least one of: producing a predetermined quantity of game outcomes or using a predetermined quantity of said reel symbols.
 17. The method of claim 12 wherein said step of notifying the player of the exclusion of reel symbols from said finite set comprises displaying at least one of: the inventory of said reel symbols from said finite set cumulatively excluding all reel symbols used in previous game outcomes or winning outcomes eliminated as a result of said excluded reel symbols.
 18. The method of claim 12 wherein said step of notifying the player of the exclusion of reel symbols from said finite set comprises displaying a graphic illustrating the relative quantity of reel symbols remaining in said finite set without specifically identifying the reel symbols remaining in said finite set.
 19. The method of claim 12 wherein said step of notifying the player of the exclusion of reel symbols from said finite set comprises displaying the quantity of game outcomes remaining before a restoration event.
 20. The method of claim 12 wherein said step of notifying the player of the exclusion of reel symbols from said finite set comprises displaying the quantity of reel symbols remaining before a restoration event.
 21. The method of claim 12 wherein said step of notifying the player of the exclusion of reel symbols from said finite set comprises displaying the constitution of the finite set and identifying said restoration point.
 22. A method of conducting a game for a player at a device including a data processor in communication with a data storage device, a display, and a player interface, comprising: storing a finite set of reel symbols at said data storage device; executing by said data processor of program instructions stored at said data storage device for conducting a game comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a wager through said player interface; (b) displaying at said display a game outcome using at least one reel symbol from said finite set cumulatively excluding all reel symbols used to produce previous game outcomes, if any and resolving said wager based on said game outcome; (c) excluding all reel symbols used to display said game outcome, accumulated with all reel symbols used to produce previous game outcomes, if any, from use to produce a subsequent game outcome; (d) displaying at said display at least one of: the inventory of said reel symbols from said finite set cumulatively excluding all reel symbols used to produce previous game outcomes and winning outcomes eliminated as a result of said excluded reel symbols; conducting by said data processor of additional sequential games of steps (a)-(d) cumulatively excluding reel symbols from said finite set until a restoration event, said restoration event including at least an automatic restoration event consisting of using a predetermined quantity of said reel symbols calculated to be the point at which a desired house edge is obtained; and upon a restoration event, restoring excluded reel symbols to said finite set by said data processor.
 23. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of displaying a game outcome comprises: storing at said data storage device a matrix containing a plurality of reel symbol positions and at least one pay line associated with said reel symbol positions; storing at said data storage device a pay table defining payouts associated with reel symbol combinations along said at least one pay line; randomly selecting a plurality of reel symbols from said finite set cumulatively excluding all reel symbols used to produce previous game outcomes, if any, by said data processor; locating said selected reel symbols in said matrix by said data processor; and determining by said data processor the reel symbol combination along said at least one pay line and the payout, if any, associated with said reel symbol combination according to said pay table.
 24. The method of claim 22 wherein said restoration event includes a manual restoration event triggered by said player or an automatic restoration event, whichever occurs first, said automatic restoration event comprising at least one of: producing a predetermined quantity of game outcomes or using a predetermined quantity of said reel symbols.
 25. A device for conducting a game for a player comprising: a data processor; a display in communication with said data processor; a player interface in communication with said data processor; and a data storage device in communication with said data processor, said data storage device adapted to store a finite set of game indicia and program instructions executable by said data processor for conducting a method comprising the steps of: conducting a game comprising: (a) receiving a wager through said player interface; (b) displaying at said display a game outcome using at least one game indicium from said finite set cumulatively excluding all game indicia used to produce previous game outcomes, if any and resolving said wager based on said game outcome; and (c) excluding all game indicia used to display said game outcome, accumulated with all game indicia used to produce previous game outcomes, if any, from use to produce a subsequent game outcome; notifying the player of the exclusion of game indicia from said finite set as a result of being used to produce previous game outcomes, if any, by providing information describing the finite set remaining until a restoration event; conducting by said data processor of additional sequential games of steps (a)-(c) until said restoration event; and upon said restoration event, restoring excluded game indicia to said finite set by said data processor.
 26. The device of claim 25 wherein said game indicia comprise reel symbols and the step of displaying a game outcome in said program instructions stored at said data storage device comprises: storing at said data storage device a matrix containing a plurality of reel symbol positions and at least one pay line associated with said reel symbol positions; storing at said data storage device a pay table defining payouts associated with reel symbol combinations along said at least one pay line; randomly selecting a plurality of reel symbols from said finite set cumulatively excluding all reel symbols used to produce previous game outcomes, if any, by said data processor; locating said selected reel symbols in said matrix by said data processor; and determining by said data processor the reel symbol combination along said at least one pay line and the payout, if any, associated with said reel symbol combination according to said pay table.
 27. The device of claim 25 wherein said restoration event of said program instructions stored at said data storage device comprises a manual restoration event triggered by said player.
 28. The device of claim 25 wherein said restoration event of said program instructions stored at said data storage device includes an automatic restoration event comprising at least one of: producing a predetermined quantity of game outcomes or using a predetermined quantity of said game indicia.
 29. The device of claim 25 wherein said restoration event of said program instructions stored at said data storage device includes a manual restoration event or an automatic restoration event, whichever occurs first, said automatic restoration event comprising at least one of: producing a predetermined quantity of game outcomes or using a predetermined quantity of said game indicia.
 30. The device of claim 25 wherein said step in said program instructions stored at said data storage device of notifying the player of the exclusion of game indicia from said finite set comprises displaying at least one of: the inventory of said game indicia from said finite set cumulatively excluding all game indicia used in previous game outcomes or winning outcomes eliminated as a result of said excluded game indicia.
 31. The device of claim 25 wherein said step in said program instructions stored at said data storage device of notifying the player of the exclusion of game indicia from said finite set comprises displaying a graphic illustrating the relative quantity of game indicia remaining in said finite set without specifically identifying the game indicia remaining in said finite set.
 32. The device of claim 25 wherein said step in said program instructions stored at said data storage device of notifying the player of the exclusion of game indicia from said finite set comprises displaying the quantity of game outcomes remaining before a restoration event.
 33. The device of claim 25 wherein said step in said program instructions stored at said data storage device of notifying the player of the exclusion of game indicia from said finite set comprises displaying the quantity of game indicia remaining before a restoration event.
 34. The device of claim 25 wherein said step in said program instructions stored at said data storage device of notifying the player of the exclusion of game indicia from said finite set comprises displaying the constitution of the finite set and identifying said restoration point.
 35. The device of claim 25 wherein said game further comprises: receiving an escrow through said player interface simultaneous with receiving said wager; and resolving said escrow based on said game outcome, said game outcome consisting of the possibility of a winning game outcome in which said wager is rewarded and a losing game outcome in which at least said wager is collected, wherein said escrow is collected from said player if said wager is insufficient to cover said player's losing game outcome, said escrow is returned to said player upon a winning game outcome, and said escrow is returned to said player upon a losing game outcome in which said wager is sufficient to cover said player's losing game outcome.
 36. A method of conducting a game for a player at a device including a data processor in communication with a data storage device, a display, and a player interface, comprising: storing a finite set of bonus outcomes at said data storage device; executing by said data processor of program instructions stored at said data storage device for conducting a bonus game comprising the steps of: (a) triggering said bonus game; (b) selecting and displaying at said display at least one bonus outcome from said finite set cumulatively excluding all bonus outcomes selected in previous bonus games, if any and issuing an award, if any, associated with said bonus outcome; and (c) excluding all selected bonus outcomes, accumulated with all bonus outcomes selected in previous bonus games, if any, from selection in a subsequent bonus game; notifying the player of the exclusion of bonus outcomes from said finite set as a result of being selected in previous bonus games, if any, by providing information describing the finite set remaining until a restoration event; conducting by said data processor of additional sequential games of steps (a)-(c) until said restoration event; and upon said restoration event, restoring excluded bonus outcomes to said finite set by said data processor.
 37. The method of claim 36 wherein said step of selecting at least one bonus outcome comprises receiving a selection of a bonus outcome through said player interface.
 38. The method of claim 36 wherein said step of selecting at least one bonus outcome comprises randomly selecting a bonus outcome.
 39. The method of claim 36 wherein said step of triggering said bonus game comprises randomly triggering said bonus game.
 40. The method of claim 36 wherein said program instructions executable by said data processor further comprise conducting a base game to produce a base game outcome and, if said base game outcome is a triggering outcome, triggering said bonus game.
 41. The method of claim 36 wherein said restoration event comprises a manual restoration event triggered by said player.
 42. The method of claim 36 wherein said restoration event includes an automatic restoration event comprising selecting a predetermined quantity of bonus outcomes.
 43. The method of claim 36 wherein said restoration event includes a manual restoration event or an automatic restoration event, whichever occurs first, and wherein said automatic restoration event comprises selecting a predetermined quantity of game outcomes.
 44. The method of claim 36 wherein said step of notifying the player of the exclusion of bonus outcomes from said finite set comprises displaying at least one of: the inventory of said bonus outcomes from said finite set cumulatively excluding all bonus outcomes selected in previous bonus games or bonus outcomes eliminated as a result of said exclusion.
 45. The method of claim 36 wherein said step of notifying the player of the exclusion of bonus outcomes from said finite set comprises displaying a graphic illustrating the relative quantity of bonus outcomes remaining in said finite set without specifically identifying the bonus outcomes remaining in said finite set.
 46. The method of claim 36 wherein said step of notifying the player of the exclusion of bonus outcomes from said finite set comprises displaying the quantity of bonus outcomes remaining before a restoration event.
 47. The method of claim 1 wherein each bonus outcome is associated with a game indicium and said step of notifying the player of the exclusion of bonus outcomes from said finite set comprises displaying the quantity of game indicia remaining before a restoration event.
 48. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of notifying the player of the exclusion of bonus outcomes from said finite set comprises displaying the constitution of the finite set and identifying said restoration point. 